The premature death of Edward IV Flashcards
What was E4 situation with France + Burgundy?
In 1482 Edward was balancing keeping The Scots from not attacking as well as keeping an alliance with both France and burgundy
In January 1482 he advised burgundy to seek a truce with France
however, Mary of Burgundy was killed in a riding accident leaving her 4-year-old son and her widow Archduke Maximilian to rule
He signed the Treaty of Arras with France where his son was betrothed to Louis XI daughter
How did the French and Burgundian alliance affect England?
England was excluded from this negotiation and lost the French pension
Calais was now surrounded by hostile powers
the proposed marriage Alliance with France was lost
When did Edward IV die?
Edward may have recovered from this but his sudden death prevented him
on the 9th of April 1483 Edward died of natural causes
the most remarkable point to make about Edward’s death was that it was peaceful
he was the only member of his immediate family to die of natural causes
When did Edward IV die?
9th of April 1483, Edward died of natural causes
What problems were caused by Edwards’s premature death?
the greatest problem caused by Edwards’s premature death was his son was only 12
however, people prefer this over Civil War
Edwards’s premature death meant he hadn’t made adequate provisions for the succession of his children this left uncertainty caused by the division between Woodville’s vs Gloucester+Hastings
What did Edwards’s premature death mean for the nobles?
Edward policy only worked while he was in full control and able to assert his authority
his death meant that all restraints on faction leaders were removed and they were left to fight over the control of the young monarch
More so as Edward hadn’t made provisions for his preferred choice of Regent
How did this affect the position of the Woodvilles?
the premature death of Edward opened the doors for the opponents of Hastings and the king’s men to grab power and get rid of their enemies
the stage was set for the inevitable advancement of the Queen’s family and those regarded as Prince Edward’s men
